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NJ Doctor Accused of Hiring Hitman to Murder His Wife

Officials announced Tuesday that Dr. James Kauffman of Linwood, New Jersey is charged with hiring a hitman to murder his wife, radio host April Kauffman, after she planned on divorcing him and exposing his alleged drug operation with a motorcycle gang. NBC10's Cydney Long has the details.

(Published Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018)

A New Jersey doctor is accused of hiring a man to kill his wife after she planned to divorce him and expose his illegal drug operation with the Pagans motorcycle gang, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Dr. James Kauffman, 68, of Linwood, New Jersey, is charged with murder, first-degree racketeering and first-degree leader of racketeering.

The new charges come more than five years after Kauffman's wife, April Kauffman, a New Jersey radio host, was found shot to death inside their Linwood home.

Officers found April Kauffman face down in the second floor bedroom of the couple's Woodstock Drive home on May 10, 2012. The 47-year-old had suffered several gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A local businesswoman who hosted weekly talk shows and advocated for military veterans, April Kauffman received a governor’s award for outstanding community service a few days before her death.

New Jersey Doctor Accused of Hiring Hit Man to Kill Wife

After five years of investigating, prosecutors say they have cracked the case of the killing of April Kauffman. Her husband Dr. James Kauffman and Ferdinand Augello are accused of murder-for-hire.

(Published Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018)

For several years, the killer remained at large despite accusations from April Kauffman's daughter that her stepfather, James Kauffman, was to blame. He denied any involvement at the time and still does now.

The reality of the crime was even more than the daughter could have imagined, authorities said.

Augello allegedly received $1,000 in cash per prescription or a predetermined number of prescription pills once the script was filled. Those who did not have insurance were required to pay anywhere between $100 to $250 per visit, according to investigators.

Tyner said April Kauffman learned of the operation in 2011 around the same time she planned to file for divorce from James.

During the early morning hours of May 10, 2012, Frank Mullholland received a ride to the Kauffman home and was given a gun. He then allegedly went inside the home through an unlocked door and shot April Kauffman twice before leaving, according to investigators.

After the killing, Mullholland received an unknown payment from a member of the motorcycle gang, according to officials. Mullholland said he received around $20,000 in cash though investigators speculate the amount was higher.

Mullholland was found dead 18 months later. Investigators at the time said the manner of death was an accidental drug overdose.

James Kauffman's drug operation continued for five years after his wife's murder, officials said. Every person involved in the enterprise was either a Pagan, former Pagan or an associate of a Pagan, according to investigators.

The operation finally folded when James Kauffman was arrested on weapons charges following a standoff with police at his Egg Harbor Township medical office on June 13, 2017.

The man yelled, "I'm not going to jail for this," as officers worked to take him into custody, police body camera footage obtained by NBC10 showed.

New Video of Police Stand Off and Arrest of Husband of Slain Woman

New video obtained by NBC10 shows officers involved in a stand off when they showed up to search the office of Dr. James Kauffman, the husband of a radio host who was murdered several years ago. NBC10's Ted Greenberg has the details.

(Published Monday, June 19, 2017)

James Kauffman eventually surrendered and was taken for a psychological examination. He was jailed on weapons charges and has remained in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility since that incident.

Ferdinand Augello is charged with first-degree racketeering, first-degree leader of racketeering, the first-degree murder of April Kauffman and conspiracy to commit the murder of James Kauffman. The remaining six suspects are all charged with racketeering.